Spotlight on Candidate Ellis Marples: A Record of Service, But Is He in Step with Today's Schools?
Ellis Marples brings decades of experience in military, civic, and professional service to the Hardyston BOE race. Voters may want to consider how his background fits today's educational needs.
Meet Ellis Marples
Ellis Marples has been a Hardyston resident for 16 years and is known by many for his dedication to civic service. A U.S. Army veteran and former Vice Commander of the American Legion, Ellis is also the current Municipal chair of the Hardyston Republican Club the Hardyston Republican Committee person for District 4 and a former councilman from Pompton Lakes, bringing with him years of leadership experience in both military and municipal settings.
Professionally, Ellis worked in systems roles for IBM and served as a nuclear weapons specialist before moving into IT consulting.
A Platform Rooted in Support and Structure
In his campaign materials, Ellis expresses a desire to support educators by providing tools, resources, and encouragement. He emphasizes working together with the full Board - a message many residents will find refreshing in today’s often divided landscape.
His tone is respectful, and that focus on collaboration may appeal to voters looking for steady leadership instead of boardroom drama.
Understanding His Connection to Today’s Schools
While Ellis’s public service record is extensive, some voters may be curious about how closely he is connected to the realities of today’s school families. Ellis does not currently have children in the district, and his stage of life may offer him a different lens than those raising young students right now.
That’s not automatically a negative - life experience matters - but voters should weigh it against candidates who are currently in the day-to-day rhythm of school life.
His Choice of Running Mates
Ellis is running alongside two other candidates - Ed Reinle and Dana Kalczuk - whose records have drawn public attention.
- Ed Reinle, a current board member, has one of the lowest attendance rates on the Board.
- Dana Kalczuk is the subject of a formal objection regarding her voter registration and residency status.
While Ellis appears committed to working respectfully with others, voters may understandably wonder how closely his views align with those of his running mates.
In an election where voters choose multiple names on the same ticket, associations do matter.
Final Thoughts
Ellis Marples brings a long record of civic and professional service, and his leadership experience could offer structure to the Board.
Still, voters should consider:
- How connected is Ellis to the needs of today’s students and parents?
- What values does he share with his running mates?
- Will he bring independent leadership - or serve a broader agenda?
As always, we encourage the community to stay informed, ask questions, and vote with clarity.